Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he takes full responsibility for his administration’s "war on drugs" in a video posted on his Facebook account, as he prepares for what he anticipates will be a protracted legal battle at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Recorded aboard a plane en route to The Hague, the 79-year-old Duterte declared, "Whatever happened in the past, I will be the front of our law enforcement and the military. I said this already, that I will protect you, and I will be responsible for everything." The video, which has already garnered millions of views, marks his first public remarks since being transferred to ICC custody following his arrest in Manila on murder charges linked to his controversial drug crackdown.
The ICC has confirmed that Duterte was surrendered to its custody for charges of murder as a crime against humanity, related to his role in creating, funding, and arming death squads during his administration—a campaign that resulted in the deaths of over 6,200 suspects. He is expected to appear before an ICC judge in the coming days after being moved to a detention unit on the Dutch coast.
Duterte, who led the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, acknowledged the lengthy process ahead, stating, "This will be a long legal proceeding, but I say to you, I will continue to serve my country. And so be it, if that is my destiny." He also reassured his supporters that he is well, despite the gravity of the situation.
His arrest represents a pivotal moment for the ICC, as Duterte could become the first Asian former head of state to stand trial at the international tribunal. In a related development, his daughter, Sara Duterte—the current vice president of the Philippines—arrived in The Hague on Wednesday evening.
The case has drawn significant international attention, with legal experts noting that the proceedings could set an important precedent in holding leaders accountable for alleged crimes against humanity. As the trial looms, the global community watches closely, aware that the outcome could have far-reaching implications for international justice.
David Beckham, one of Britain's most celebrated soccer players, was knighted by King Charles at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, recognising his decades-lon...
A wheat-loaded train has traveled to Armenia through Azerbaijan, APA reports, following President Ilham Aliyev’s announcement in Kazakhstan about li...
The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi that hit the central Philippines on Tuesday has risen to 39 on the island of Cebu, a local government official sa...
Within the framework of the 'Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty,' and on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press...
Voters in New Jersey and Virginia will choose their next governors on Tuesday in two crucial races that will serve as an early indicator of how the Am...
Russia said on Monday that its troops had advanced in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a transport and logistics hub that they have been trying to capture for over a year, but Ukraine said its forces were holding on.
At least 37 people have died and five are missing after devastating floods and landslides hit central Vietnam, officials said Monday, as a new typhoon threatens to worsen the disaster.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not believe the United States is going to war with Venezuela despite growing tensions, though he suggested President Nicolás Maduro’s time in power may be nearing its end.
A powerful earthquake measuring 6.3 struck near the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif early on Monday, leaving at least 20 people dead, hundreds injured, and causing significant damage to the city’s famed Blue Mosque, authorities said, warning that the death toll was expected to rise.
Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan vowed on Monday to move on from deadly protests set off by last week's disputed election as she was sworn into office for her first elected term.
The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi that hit the central Philippines on Tuesday has risen to 39 on the island of Cebu, a local government official said.
Voters in New Jersey and Virginia will choose their next governors on Tuesday in two crucial races that will serve as an early indicator of how the American electorate is responding to President Donald Trump's unprecedented nine months in office.
Cheney who was considered by presidential historians as one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history has died at age 84, his family said in a statement on Tuesday.
A Romanian worker trapped for hours under the rubble of a partially collapsed medieval tower near the Colosseum in central Rome has died, Italian and Romanian authorities said on Tuesday.
A Ukrainian man suspected of coordinating the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines has begun a hunger strike, demanding respect for his fundamental rights in prison, his lawyer said on Tuesday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment